Forms: 3–7 aromat, (pl. 3–4 -az, = -atz), 4–7 aromate, 8– aroma. [a. OF. aromat (now aromate), ad. L. arōmata, pl. of arōma, a. Gr. ἄρωμα. In mod. times altered back to L. and Gr. form; occas. even with pl. aro·mata, though aro·mas is usual.]
† 1. Spice; usually in pl. spices. Obs.
c. 1220. Leg. Kath., 2225. Wið smirles of aromaz.
a. 1230. Ancr. R., 376. Þeos þreo Maries bouhten swote smellinde aromaz uorto smurien mide ure Louerd.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 21299. Þe foerth sauurs als aromat.
1494. Fabyan, I. iii. 10. With dyuers Aromats & spyces of moste swettest odour.
1637. Nabbes, Microcosm., in Dodsl., O. P., IX. 240. And breathes perfumes, no Persian aromats Can imitate.
1686. W. Harris, Lemery’s Chym., I. xvii. 408. You may make use of other Aromates or Spices.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Aroma is, by some authors, particularly applied to denote myrrh.
2. The distinctive fragrance exhaled from a spice, plant, etc.; gen. an agreeable odor, a sweet smell.
1814. Edin. Rev., XXIII. 116. The more odorous plants … whose aroma we may wish to retain.
1873. E. Smith, Foods, 23. The nutritive qualities of the lean meat are there, except the aromas, which may have escaped under the influence of heat.
b. An aromatic essence or oil.
1830. Coleridge, Lect. Shaks., II. 203. Its [a plant’s] balsams, gums, resins, aromata … are … mere excretions from the vegetable.
3. fig. A subtle pervasive quality or charm.
1851. Carlyle, Sterling, I. ii. (1872), 11. The delicate aroma of his nature.
1861. Trollope, T. All Countr., vii. 281. The language of the people has not the pure Parisian aroma.
